APHIS eFile

Guidance for Using the Veterinary Services Permitting 

Assistant (VSPA)

Version 2.0

September 2021
WELCOME! 

The VS Permitting Assistant (VSPA) provides guidance on APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) requirements for 

international import, international transit, and domestic interstate movement of VS-regulated commodities. You must 

complete the Permitting Assistant to learn the admissibility requirements for your commodity(ies). You will only need to 

complete an application if a permit is required.

If applying for a multi-ingredient product, make sure to add all of your materials to your product ingredient list. Examples 

of multi-ingredient products include nutraceuticals, food products, pet food, diagnostic test kits, fertilizers.

For more APHIS eFile VSPA support materials:

Check out our "How to" playlist on the APHIS YouTube Channel

Review this and other User Guides online on the APHIS eFile Training Page
3

I AM AN APPLICANT

Step 1: Sign into APHIS eFile

Page 4

Step 2: Create your request with the VS Permitting Assistant (VSPA)

Page 5

Step 3: Proceed to Application(s) from VSPA

Page 12
4

Step 1: Sign in to eFile

• Navigate to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/ in Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari (eFile is not supported by Internet Explorer).

• Select Login and log in using your eAuthentication credentials. Login is OPTIONAL. If your search results in an application, you will 

need to login in order to complete the application. 

• If you are not eAuthenticated, select Create an Account and follow the steps to become eAuthenticated. You must be eAuthenticated to apply in eFile. 

• If your eAuthentication is not Verified, you will be prompted with various questions to upgrade your eAuth (Example question: What is your Social Security 

number?). Complete these questions in order to proceed. 

• Scroll to the Find What You Need section and select the Veterinary Services Permitting Assistant link. 

C

A

B

C

A
5

Step 2: Create your request with the VS Permitting Assistant STEP 1

Complete the Permitting Assistant to begin the application process.

• Select the tab associated with the type of material you are searching for.

• Enter the material details into the appropriate search fields. 

• Select the Search button.

A

C

Select the “i” icons 

to reveal tool tips

A

Use the “See List” 

hyperlinks to view full 

lists of your options

C

B

B

Note: Repeat steps A-C for all 

regulated commodities you wish to 

move. The VSPA will organize them 

into the appropriate applications. 
6

Step 2: Create your request with the VS Permitting Assistant STEP 2

• Select the Attribute Filters to refine your material search results.

Note: For best results complete ALL attribute 

filters in top to bottom order until there is only ONE 

result remaining. 

Some of the filters are selection-order dependent, 

meaning that your first selection may limit which 

filters you may select next. 

Use the “X” to remove 

an individual filter and 

“Clear All” to remove 

all selected filters.

A

Select the “i” icons 

to reveal tool tips

A
7

Step 2: Create your request with the VS Permitting Assistant STEP 3

Note: You will likely not need to adjust your view of the Result Cards, as you should use all attribute filters until one result remains. 

Use the following tools to adjust your view of 

the Result Cards.

• Use the drop-down to change the number 

of Result Cards per page.

• Use the arrows to view more pages of 

Result Cards.

• Use the drop-down to sort by 

Prescreening Result number (PR #) or 

Outcome.

• Each Result Card has a unique PR #. 

If you need to communicate with VS 

about a specific result card, you can 

use the PR #. 

A

B

B

C

A C

C
8

Step 2: Create your request with the VS Permitting Assistant STEP 3

• Review the information on the Result Card.

• Select Add Material/Commodity to add the material to 

your application as a single material (ex: single-species 

bulk material, tissue samples).

OR

• Select Add to Product Ingredient List to add the material 

to your application as an ingredient within a larger product 

(ex: nutraceuticals, food products, pet food, diagnostic test 

kits, fertilizers).

• To add a material as an ingredient you will need to 

Create a Product Ingredient List. By creating the list 

from this button, you’ll automatically add the material 

to the new list. 

A

A

B

B

B

Note: If you are importing Animal Products, do NOT 

select both Add Material and Add to Product 

Ingredient List. Select only one option. 
9

Step 2: Create your request with the VS Permitting Assistant STEP 3

To remove a single material/animal, select the 

Remove Material/Commodity button.

To remove an animal-origin ingredient, uncheck 

the checkbox associated with the Product Ingredient 

List. 

Note: You must use one of these two options to remove a 

material. Once you have added a material, refreshing the 

VSPA will not remove them. 

To add additional materials/animals, edit any of 

the search fields and repeat the process. 

• Once you’ve added all of your materials/animals 

proceed to your Request Summary by selecting 

the Shopping Cart icon or View Summary.

A

A

A
10

Step 2: Create your request with the VS Permitting Assistant STEP 3

The materials/animals you have added have been sorted into categories:

• Permit Application – Materials listed in this section 

require permit applications. The materials have been 

sorted onto the appropriate number of applications. 

Make sure to select Documentation Required and 

review all the information before applying.

• No Permit Required but Conditions Apply – Materials 

listed in this section do not require a permit application 

but may have additional conditions (i.e., a required 

certificate).

• Inadmissible – Materials listed in this section are not 

allowed for import, transport, or transit.

Select each category tab to view the results in that category. 

A

B

C

A B C
11

Step 2: Create your request with the VS Permitting Assistant STEP 3

• To delete a material from your summary, 

select the trashcan icon.

• To add more materials, select Go Back 

and Add More Materials.

• When applicable, download all letters by 

selecting the View Letter button

associated with each material.

• To send yourself a copy of this request 

summary, enter your email into the field 

and select Send.

• Please note your summary will expire in 5 

calendar days. 

• If you are renewing a VS16-6A permit from 

ePermits, enter the Permit number and 

Save.

A

B

C

D

D

C

B

A

E

E
12

Step 3: Proceed to Application(s) from VSPA STEP 3

• Once you have reviewed all your results and the VSPA has indicated you need to apply for a permit, select the Proceed to 

Applications button to continue to your applications. 

Note: If you are not already logged in, you will be prompted to log in with your eAuthentication credentials.

A

A
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APPENDIX

System Setup

• Browser – For the best user experience, please use Google Chrome. 

Other available browsers include Firefox, Safari, and Edge. 

Do NOT use Internet Explorer

• Emails – Add aphis.efile@aphis.usda.gov to your address book so that 

any Request Summaries sent from the VSPA do not go to your junk box

• Zoom –100%

Contact

If you require assistance with your applications, 

please contact:

Veterinary Services

(301) 851 3300

Animal Product, Organism & Vector Help: 

APIE@usda.gov

Live Animals Help:

VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@usda.gov

If you require technical assistance, please contact:

Help Desk

help@usda.gov